Differential ???'s - Diesel Forum

rjlein · 01-13-2006, 04:56 PM

So I have a little bonus I'd like to spend and am considering upgrading both differentials. My truck is mostly a road princess [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img], we have a 25ft TT we haul as well as a camper we use for boondocking. I'm looking for a little better traction when we're out in the slop hunting. For the rear my options seem to be the Auburn LS, ARB locker, Detroit locker or FRPP has a "True Trac" LS for the sterling (is this an upgrade or what we currently have?) I think in my case a locker for the front is overkill but what does the Dana 60 have stock? Is it open? I'm looking at the True Trac or maybe the Auburn again but there are several choices for the Dana 60. What do you guys think?? Right now I'm leaning towards the ARB locker for the rear and Detroit True Trac for the front

CharlieII · 01-13-2006, 06:19 PM

If you truly wan it OPEN on road, then go with the ARB, but if you also want to be able to punch it and get a solid hook from a stop and while cornering without the full lockup of a spool that causes bad push when cornering and the obvious part-throttle chirp at moderate turning like you would get with the ARB "locked", then the Auburn would be best. The detroit is a non-option for your needs. It's a tweener and can never truly be "right". When offroad, it will still ratchet on you and clang around just as on the street until you stomp it, then it will lock solid and just be inconsistent by streetracing standards and very badly so. For street fun/weekend mudding, the Auburn wins handsdown. If you don't want to do any street fun but just drive around then hit the mud for fun, the ARB would be best with it's full open then locked action for the hunting club.

As for the front, the front is open. A good LS unit would be best. I wouldn't reccommend locking the front because you could easily grenade axleshafts/hubs and such with the engine sitting right on it and nowhere for that force to go if you get the truck standing up with most of the weight on one of the fronts. A good LS will let go and save an axle/hub whereas a locker will pop one.

For normal street driving/offroading at the deer club:

I'd say ARB in the rear, and LS in the front.

For aggressive street driving fun/offroading at the deer club:

I'd say Auburn in the rear, and LS in the front.

.02

Charlie

SlopeTruck · 01-13-2006, 06:27 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Right now I'm leaning towards the ARB locker for the rear and Detroit True Trac for the front

[/ QUOTE ]
I think that would be a great combo! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Spendy but if you have the $$$ it would make a great combo. Would be unnoticeable on the street (unless you wanted great traction off the line [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]) and would shine off road. Couldn't believe the difference just a detroit in the rear made on my play truck, night and day difference over an open dif. The combo your contemplating OR a Detroit E-locker in the rear is the way I would go if I had the $$$.

CharlieII · 01-13-2006, 06:37 PM

Are any of the electric LS/locked rear differentials at market yet for the sterling rear axles yet?

Charlie

SlopeTruck · 01-13-2006, 06:46 PM

Last I read they were in the works but... Would seem the 10.25/10.50 axle would start getting more aftermarket attention (quicker) with all the OSBs and Super Dutys out there.